Illinois Counties Receive Federal Snow Emergency Declaration

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced that the Federal Government has approved his request for a Federal Snow Emergency declaration and designated 21 counties eligible to receive federal assistance as a result of record or near-record snowfall earlier this month. More Illinois counties may be added as new information becomes available.

"I am pleased that the President approved this request," Governor George Ryan said. "This federal assistance will help offset some of the extraordinary snow removal and public safety expenses for state agencies and units of local government."

The Federal Snow Emergency declaration includes the following counties: Bureau, Cook, DeWitt, DuPage, Ford, Fulton, Grundy, Henry, Iroquois, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, Livingston, Marshall, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Stark, Will and Winnebago. Three other counties - St. Clair, Clark and Jasper - still are under consideration by FEMA.

Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Chamness said that six additional counties - Henderson, Knox, LaSalle, Menard, Ogle and Peoria - would be submitted to FEMA for consideration. The state has 30 days to submit other counties if new information indicates they might qualify for federal assistance.

Units of local government will be eligible to make application to IEMA for 75 percent reimbursement for snow removal and public safety costs for a 48-hour period. IEMA will schedule applicant briefings and make notification to the designated jurisdictions of the dates, times and locations. These briefings will include an explanation of the application process and which expenses are eligible for reimbursement.